Voleyball

With this triumph, Kentucky clinched the outright SEC championship, finishing the league with an impressive 17-1 record. Their closest competitors, Tennessee and Arkansas, tied for second place with a 15-3 record in the SEC. This victory also extended Kentucky’s winning streak to 16 consecutive matches, solidifying their status as the NCAA’s longest winning streak.

Louisville faced off against Georgia Tech earlier in the month and came up short, losing in four sets. The Cardinals are eager for another shot at the Yellow Jackets and hope to secure a victory this time around. The match will be a test for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship.

Grome’s exceptional performance on the court this week added to her NCAA-leading average of 12.00 assists per set. She played a pivotal role in leading the UK offense to a .372 hitting percentage in two matches combined, registering 12.88 assists per set during the week. Grome’s standout performance included 55 assists against Texas A&M and 48 assists against Mizzou. She also showcased her defensive skills with six digs in each match, and her decision-making and leadership were instrumental in the Wildcats’ three total sets where they hit .500 or above as a team.

Hailing from Topeka, Kansas, DeLeye displayed her prowess on the court, recording 20 kills on 44 swings and achieving a .318 hitting percentage for the match. In addition to her offensive contributions, she also contributed six digs, an assist, an ace, and a block assist.

Kentucky got off to a blistering start in the match, dominating the first two sets and winning them 25-12 and 25-15 respectively. However, Missouri fought back and managed to win the third set 25-18, pushing the match to four sets. In the fourth set, the Wildcats found their rhythm again and eventually won 25-21, with DeLeye delivering the winning kill.

Despite the loss, the Cardinals showcased their offensive firepower, hitting .315 with 77 kills. Alongside DeBeer, Charitie Luper had 24 kills and 13 digs, while Cara Cresse and Aiko Jones combined for eight kills. Elena Scott contributed 24 digs, and Elle Glock tallied an impressive 60 assists.

The Cardinals have had a strong season so far with a record of 23-3 overall and 14-2 in the ACC. They are coming off back-to-back sweeps over Duke and North Carolina, with several players stepping up offensively. Outside hitter Charitie Luper led the way with 23 kills and two aces, while middle blocker Cara Cresse won ACC Defensive Player of the Week with 17 kills and 11 blocks. Outside hitter Anna DeBeer and opposite hitter Aiko Jones also contributed to the team’s success.

Kentucky showcased a well-rounded game against Texas A&M, excelling in both offense and defense. Four players reached double-digit kills, led by freshman Brooklyn DeLeye who had 18 kills and eight digs. Senior Elise Goetzinger had 13 kills with an impressive .435 hitting percentage, while Erin Lamb and Azhani Tealer contributed 12 kills each. Goetzinger and Tealer’s strong partnership in the middle proved crucial for the team’s success.

Led by Emma Grome, who tallied 55 assists, Kentucky’s balanced attack proved too much for Texas A&M. Freshman Brooklyn DeLeye led the way with 18 kills, followed by Elise Goetzinger with 13, Erin Lamb with 12, and Azhani Tealer with 12. The Wildcats attacked at an impressive .360 clip, while holding Texas A&M to just .211.

Joining Darren on the show will be Christi Thomas, Brooklyn DeLeye, and Molly Tuozzo, who are all part of the UK Volleyball team. Fans can tune in at 7pm to catch the show live and hear directly from these talented athletes.